The Onion Papers, Session C
Session C of The Onion Papers recently was posted to YouTube. This session considered non-statutory double patenting rejections, Terminal Disclaimers, and best practices for 2023.
Blog – ブログ
JPO/USPTO Software-Related Inventions
At the outset, let’s make clear this blog post will be more academic than practical. Still, the explanation might (i) help practitioners understand reasons behind… Read More »JPO/USPTO Software-Related Inventions
USPTO（米国特許商標庁）への日本式反論
自明性の拒絶に対して日本式の反論を行っても、USPTO（米国特許商標庁）では多くの場合上手くいきません。理由を説明します。
まず、米国の特許審査には次の手順があります。「当該クレームが先行技術に照らして自明である理由を示す一応の証拠を特許審査官がはじめに示す。［そこで］立証責任が［出願人に］移り、出願人が証拠を提出するかまたは反論する。」MPEP 2142（ACCO Brands Corp. v. Fellowes, Inc., 813 F.3d 1361, 1365–66, 117 USPQ2d 1951, 1553-54 (Fed. Cir. 2016)引用）。
Read More »USPTO（米国特許商標庁）への日本式反論Japanese-Style Arguments at the USPTO
Japanese-style obviousness arguments typically are ineffective at the USPTO. Why? Initially, during prosecution, “the patent examiner must first set forth a prima facie case .… Read More »Japanese-Style Arguments at the USPTO
Obviousness Rejections with Several References
We received a question about responding to obviousness rejections with several (e.g., 3 or more) references. Such a rejection complicates drafting a response. The natural… Read More »Obviousness Rejections with Several References
The Name Game
We received a request to discuss the titles and names used by Examiners, attorneys, and guests during interviews at the USPTO. It’s an area in… Read More »The Name Game
Budgeting Maintenance Fees
We frequently are asked by in-house counsel about budgeting for development and maintenance of their US patent portfolio. At least among US Applicants, these portfolio… Read More »Budgeting Maintenance Fees
Preamble On
It is well-established, “No litmus test defines when a preamble limits claim scope.” Catalina Mktg. Int’l v. Coolsavings.com, Inc., 289 F.3d 801, 808 (Fed. Cir.… Read More »Preamble On
The Inherency Two-Step
Non-US practitioners often ask us questions about inherency. So, let’s discuss why American patent practitioners and USPTO Examiners might frequently refer to inherency. Inherency occurs… Read More »The Inherency Two-Step
審査官の経験値
審査官の経験値に関するご質問をいただくことが少なくありません。案件担当の審査官の序列について出願人が知るためにはどうすればよいでしょう。
まず、「部分署名権限（partial signatory authority）」を持っている、もしくは主任審査官（Primary Examiner）である、という場合に、審査官に実績があると言えます。非常に経験豊富な審査官であっても、これらの立場を有していない場合があります。
Read More »審査官の経験値